Methods of treating itch

Abstract

The invention provides methods for preventing and/or treating itch in a subject in need thereof by administration of a protease-activated G-protein coupled Protease Activated Receptor 4 (PAR4) antagonist. The PAR4 antagonist can be combined with a PAR2 antagonist.

1 . A method of preventing and/or treating itch in a subject in need thereof comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a PAR4 antagonist to the subject. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said PAR 4 antagonist is selected from the group consisting of tcY-NH( 2 ); pepducin P4 pal-10; pepducin P4 pal-15; Tc-APGKF-NH( 2 ) (SEQ. ID. No.  26 ); polyclonal anti-PAR4 antibody; monoclonal anti-PAR4 antibody, YD-3; Statins: atorvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, cerivastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin, pitavastatin, and metabolite thereof; and ethanol. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claims 1 - 2 , wherein the itch is associated with a disease or disorder selected from eczema, atopic eczematous dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, irritant dermatitis, xerosis (dry skin), psoriasis, fungal infections including athlete's foot, yeast infections including diaper rash and vaginal itch, parasitic infections, parasitic infestations including scabies and lice, lichen planus, lichen simplex, lichen simplex chronicus, lichen sclerosis, itch secondary to medications, senile itch, uremia, idiopathic itch, itch associated with liver cirrhosis, itch associated with inflammation, itch associated with allergies, itch associated with cancer, itch associated with kidney disease, itch associated with haemodialysis, burns, scalds, sunburn, wound healing, insect bites, urticaria, sweat gland abnormalities, bullous pemphigoid, photodematoses, skin blisters, adult acne, chicken pox, and dermatitis herpetiformis. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claims 1 - 3 , wherein said PAR4 antagonist is administered in the form of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of said PAR4 antagonist as active ingredient, in admixture with a pharmaceutical carrier. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claims 1 - 4 , wherein said PAR4 antagonist is applied topically to the site afflicted with itch. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said pharmaceutical composition is formulated in a form suitable for topical application. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said pharmaceutical composition comprising reconstituted spicules from the pods of the tropical plant  Mucuna pruriens . 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claims 1 - 7 , wherein said PAR4 antagonist is administered systemically. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claims 1 - 9 , further comprising administering a therapeutic amount of a PAR2 antagonist. 
     
     
         10 . A method of preventing and/or treating itch in a subject in need thereof comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the cysteine protease inhibitor, E-64, to the subject.